This is truly a band that needs no introduction, ladies and gentlemen. Since the first time I heard the mountainous sounds of Bullywest, I've been absolutely hooked. They are a rare breed of musicians that seem to be able to get people itching for more after only listening to just one of their songs. Bullywest creates folk inspired stories that are both rich with attention to detail and emotion, but the whole thing seems to be draped in this veil of high octane rock and roll that leaves people with their jaws on the floor.
I have shared the stage with these guys on so many joyous occasions, and the energy that they bring to their live performances are very honest, personal and consistent. It's a beautiful thing to experience now a days, especially in this world that is ruining personal connections by forcing everyone to convey emotion through their technological devices. There is no "Like" button for real life, but if there was, I'd break it in the first five minuets by clicking on Bullywest and their honest attempts at making a connection with the faces that come to their shows. This is a band that I highly respect, and I recommend that you start doing it as well before it's too late. With the way these cats write music, they'll probably be touring Europe by next Summer and be launched into the stardom pool.....just you wait and see.
I got to sit down with Manny Velez, the powerhouse lead vocalist of Bullywest, to talk about the band, the importance of family, and the mountainous style of music that is Bullywest. Enjoy!
What is your name and role in Bullywest?
"My name is Manny Velez. I sing, write, motivate and play rhythm guitar for Bullywest."
And where are you guys based out of?
"We're based out of Oakland, but we play all around the Bay Area. The folks in Concord seem to be quite fond of us..."
How did the band get created, and what did you hope to achieve by starting this project?
"I cant really say that it was one specific event or happening because it's more like a chain of events that took place over a span of time. A close friend of mine had passed away unexpectedly, and I took it pretty hard. I became withdrawn, quit my job as a roofer in SF, and I even stopped talking to this girl I had been seeing for a while. You could say that it was a pretty rough two years for me. My friends started worrying about my well being, and seeing as I was reluctant to hang out with anybody, they forced me to go to a free concert in San Francisco. I had never heard of "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" until that day, but I can honestly say that this concert changed my life. I left there so inspired! I wrote my first song that night, "They Call Me Frankenstein", after about 4 to 5 years of no music. I showed it to a few friends one day, we started jamming it out, and that was that."
"Our project formed mostly off of raw emotion, and we were all mutual friends of my buddy who had passed away. Everyone was looking for an outlet at the time and a way to express our deepest emotions. My personal goal is to motivate anyone who plays in this band to reach for their fullest potential and to reinforce their confidence in their art. This band has seen a lot of line up changes over the years, all close friends that either moved away or left to pursue a career, but the over all goal has always been the same; to write music that expresses raw emotions, positive or negative. These are feelings that remind us that WE ARE HERE, WE ARE ALIVE, AND WE ARE TOGETHER."
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm sure he would be very proud to see all that you guys have done with this group, which is a lot. It's obvious that he has been a big motivation in your style of writing. If you had to describe your style in one word, what word would you choose?
"Mountainous."
When/why did you start playing music?
"It started in my ma's belly. hahaha. I think it was inevitable. I mean, both sides of my family are musically inclined. We're kind of like the puerto rican Partridge family."
Who/what band has been your biggest musical influence? Are they still an influence in your playing today?
"My dad and grandfather would probably be my biggest influences. Growing up and watching them have band practice in our living room every other weekend, you tend to pick up on a few things. Though my grandfather has passed on, he still motivates me to press my abilities in both music and life."
I have shared the stage with these guys on so many joyous occasions, and the energy that they bring to their live performances are very honest, personal and consistent. It's a beautiful thing to experience now a days, especially in this world that is ruining personal connections by forcing everyone to convey emotion through their technological devices. There is no "Like" button for real life, but if there was, I'd break it in the first five minuets by clicking on Bullywest and their honest attempts at making a connection with the faces that come to their shows. This is a band that I highly respect, and I recommend that you start doing it as well before it's too late. With the way these cats write music, they'll probably be touring Europe by next Summer and be launched into the stardom pool.....just you wait and see.
I got to sit down with Manny Velez, the powerhouse lead vocalist of Bullywest, to talk about the band, the importance of family, and the mountainous style of music that is Bullywest. Enjoy!
What is your name and role in Bullywest?
"My name is Manny Velez. I sing, write, motivate and play rhythm guitar for Bullywest."
And where are you guys based out of?
"We're based out of Oakland, but we play all around the Bay Area. The folks in Concord seem to be quite fond of us..."
How did the band get created, and what did you hope to achieve by starting this project?
"I cant really say that it was one specific event or happening because it's more like a chain of events that took place over a span of time. A close friend of mine had passed away unexpectedly, and I took it pretty hard. I became withdrawn, quit my job as a roofer in SF, and I even stopped talking to this girl I had been seeing for a while. You could say that it was a pretty rough two years for me. My friends started worrying about my well being, and seeing as I was reluctant to hang out with anybody, they forced me to go to a free concert in San Francisco. I had never heard of "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" until that day, but I can honestly say that this concert changed my life. I left there so inspired! I wrote my first song that night, "They Call Me Frankenstein", after about 4 to 5 years of no music. I showed it to a few friends one day, we started jamming it out, and that was that."
"Our project formed mostly off of raw emotion, and we were all mutual friends of my buddy who had passed away. Everyone was looking for an outlet at the time and a way to express our deepest emotions. My personal goal is to motivate anyone who plays in this band to reach for their fullest potential and to reinforce their confidence in their art. This band has seen a lot of line up changes over the years, all close friends that either moved away or left to pursue a career, but the over all goal has always been the same; to write music that expresses raw emotions, positive or negative. These are feelings that remind us that WE ARE HERE, WE ARE ALIVE, AND WE ARE TOGETHER."
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm sure he would be very proud to see all that you guys have done with this group, which is a lot. It's obvious that he has been a big motivation in your style of writing. If you had to describe your style in one word, what word would you choose?
"Mountainous."
When/why did you start playing music?
"It started in my ma's belly. hahaha. I think it was inevitable. I mean, both sides of my family are musically inclined. We're kind of like the puerto rican Partridge family."
Who/what band has been your biggest musical influence? Are they still an influence in your playing today?
"My dad and grandfather would probably be my biggest influences. Growing up and watching them have band practice in our living room every other weekend, you tend to pick up on a few things. Though my grandfather has passed on, he still motivates me to press my abilities in both music and life."
Through heartbreak and determination, the members of Bullywest have created some of the best local music around. I recommend that you go their their Facebook page right now, find their music, and play the first song, "Ready for Reality". Your head will be bouncing before the first line of lyrics comes in to steal the show. It has such a fantastic build up that really lets you know who Bullywest is right off the get go. They are a simple yet powerful band that feeds off the emotions of one another, and they do it so god damn well.
And of course, there is my personal favorite track, "They Call Me Frankenstein". Everything about this song makes we wish I had writen it. hahaha The opening riff is very taunting in a way and has a carefree, almost child like nature to it. It's raw sounding, has great vocals and contains some very honest lyrics about a man dealing with a the emotions that comes with loosing a friend. With lyrics like, "My old house is burning down, but I don't even care!", it really emphasizes the connections that they are trying to make with such honestly in their writing. It's characteristics like this that prove Bullywest is not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
What's your favorite song that you have written? What drove you to write it?
"Hmmm, tough question. I love all my songs, but if I had to pick one, Id say "Senator Skin." It was my first attempt writing a "protest" song. Plus, I was proud of how well the vocal melodies complemented the simple guitar riff. The lyrics take a widened look at modern culture and today's society."
What's one album you could never get tired of listening to?
"Another good question. There are so many great albums out there, but one that comes to mind is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". That was another band that was life changing the first time I heard them. That album, in my opinion, is a great example of master studio engineering. Its perfection that's been captured on tape."
If you could jam with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
"Paul McCartney and Jon Lennon, the two greatest song writers of all time."
Favorite concert that you have attended:
"I've been to a lot of concerts in my day so I'll so I'll choose four. First, was that Hardly Strictly Bluegrass that I went to back in 2012, then Outside lands to where I saw Stevie Wonder play. It was unreal. I got to see Bon Iver at the Fox Theater, and the last one was when I went to the Vegoose Festival in Las Vegas. Rage Against the Machine played there."
Best band moment, on or off stage:
"Well, there was this ONE time...It was our first time playing for the Mountain Vibe folks, and it was insanely hot that day. Our percussionist Fox was burning some incense at the front of the stage, and I learned that day that smoke+heat+beers= puke. hahaha Honestly, this is the longest amount of time that I've been in a band so every moment to me is absolutely unreal. I'll say my favorite part of being in this band and performing is when our fans sing and clap along with us. Its better than any payment or publicity. When they sing with me, something happens to us that words cant describe. The energy becomes a strong gust of wind that can lift you ten feet off the ground."
Where do you see yourself 2 years from now and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"In 2 years from now, I'd like to see us signed to a independent label, have a full length album and maybe a tour to the east coast. In 5 years we have our eyes set on a few major festivals like Bottle Rock, SXSW, and back to where it all started, HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS!"
Who are some bands that you play around your area with?
"Our scene is booming again with a lot of talented and interesting bands. We've been lucky to play and become friends with the people who share the same passions as us. To name a few: Overland, Mama Foxxy (my sisters band), The Iron Heart, Electric Strawberry, Well Secluded, Sock Thief , Gigantis, Swoon, Forest Day, The Whoa, Six Gun Saints, Radiokeys, United Defiance, Muncie, Youngest of Elders and all the members and former members of BullyWest. I've truly been lucky having this opportunity to work with such talented players."
Where can people go to follow your progress and find your music?
"We have the standard Facebook, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud soundcloud. We just purchased a .com, but it's not up and running yet. You can also contact us via good ole email, [email protected]"
Anything else you would like to say before you go?
"I'd like to say this has been the craziest, most love filled 2 years of my life, and I owe that to our family friends and followers of our music and art. I'll speak for the guys in BW when I say that this train would have stopped months ago if it wasnn't for your unconditional support. If you've seen us then you know that we put it all out there on stage, and you guys are the reason why. We do it to show how much we appreciate and love performing for you."
Last question: If you could have written any song in history, which one would you choose and why?
"Id say any song written by Kanye West because that asshole doesn't know how to handle the responsibility and power of his influence."
And of course, there is my personal favorite track, "They Call Me Frankenstein". Everything about this song makes we wish I had writen it. hahaha The opening riff is very taunting in a way and has a carefree, almost child like nature to it. It's raw sounding, has great vocals and contains some very honest lyrics about a man dealing with a the emotions that comes with loosing a friend. With lyrics like, "My old house is burning down, but I don't even care!", it really emphasizes the connections that they are trying to make with such honestly in their writing. It's characteristics like this that prove Bullywest is not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
What's your favorite song that you have written? What drove you to write it?
"Hmmm, tough question. I love all my songs, but if I had to pick one, Id say "Senator Skin." It was my first attempt writing a "protest" song. Plus, I was proud of how well the vocal melodies complemented the simple guitar riff. The lyrics take a widened look at modern culture and today's society."
What's one album you could never get tired of listening to?
"Another good question. There are so many great albums out there, but one that comes to mind is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". That was another band that was life changing the first time I heard them. That album, in my opinion, is a great example of master studio engineering. Its perfection that's been captured on tape."
If you could jam with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
"Paul McCartney and Jon Lennon, the two greatest song writers of all time."
Favorite concert that you have attended:
"I've been to a lot of concerts in my day so I'll so I'll choose four. First, was that Hardly Strictly Bluegrass that I went to back in 2012, then Outside lands to where I saw Stevie Wonder play. It was unreal. I got to see Bon Iver at the Fox Theater, and the last one was when I went to the Vegoose Festival in Las Vegas. Rage Against the Machine played there."
Best band moment, on or off stage:
"Well, there was this ONE time...It was our first time playing for the Mountain Vibe folks, and it was insanely hot that day. Our percussionist Fox was burning some incense at the front of the stage, and I learned that day that smoke+heat+beers= puke. hahaha Honestly, this is the longest amount of time that I've been in a band so every moment to me is absolutely unreal. I'll say my favorite part of being in this band and performing is when our fans sing and clap along with us. Its better than any payment or publicity. When they sing with me, something happens to us that words cant describe. The energy becomes a strong gust of wind that can lift you ten feet off the ground."
Where do you see yourself 2 years from now and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"In 2 years from now, I'd like to see us signed to a independent label, have a full length album and maybe a tour to the east coast. In 5 years we have our eyes set on a few major festivals like Bottle Rock, SXSW, and back to where it all started, HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS!"
Who are some bands that you play around your area with?
"Our scene is booming again with a lot of talented and interesting bands. We've been lucky to play and become friends with the people who share the same passions as us. To name a few: Overland, Mama Foxxy (my sisters band), The Iron Heart, Electric Strawberry, Well Secluded, Sock Thief , Gigantis, Swoon, Forest Day, The Whoa, Six Gun Saints, Radiokeys, United Defiance, Muncie, Youngest of Elders and all the members and former members of BullyWest. I've truly been lucky having this opportunity to work with such talented players."
Where can people go to follow your progress and find your music?
"We have the standard Facebook, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud soundcloud. We just purchased a .com, but it's not up and running yet. You can also contact us via good ole email, [email protected]"
Anything else you would like to say before you go?
"I'd like to say this has been the craziest, most love filled 2 years of my life, and I owe that to our family friends and followers of our music and art. I'll speak for the guys in BW when I say that this train would have stopped months ago if it wasnn't for your unconditional support. If you've seen us then you know that we put it all out there on stage, and you guys are the reason why. We do it to show how much we appreciate and love performing for you."
Last question: If you could have written any song in history, which one would you choose and why?
"Id say any song written by Kanye West because that asshole doesn't know how to handle the responsibility and power of his influence."
Well folks, there you have. Bullywest is the story of a band that wanted to create beautiful music that they could share with others in order to overcome personal loss. These are the underdog stories that everyone can easily root for, and nobody deserves more praise than the guys in Bullywest. They are truly an original band in an era filled with unoriginality, and they bring a much need sense of humbleness that's rare to come by in the music scene. As I said earlier, Bullywest is a band that's not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeves, and at the rate they keep going, their going to need a bigger shirt. I wish you all the best of luck in your creative endeavors. Cheers, fellas...